China and South ​Korea in Cultural Heritage Dispute‍ Over “Stone Pot Bibimbap”

China’s recent listing of “stone pot bibimbap” as a provincial ‌cultural heritage has ​sparked a ⁢heated dispute ​with South Korea,⁤ with the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizing China’s behavior as “distorting history.”

According ⁣to⁢ reports, the Chinese government has officially declared 65 items as part of its “fifth intangible​ cultural heritage,” including the traditional Korean dish “stone pot bibimbap.” Jilin Province listed stone pot ‌bibimbap as “Korean stone pot bibimbap ‍cooking technology” three years ago, also​ including rice cakes, kimchi, and winter vegetables in China’s intangible cultural heritage.

The South ‌Korean Ministry of​ Foreign Affairs has ⁤emphasized its ‍commitment⁤ to responding to China’s attempts to distort history, stating ‌that “historical issues are important issues concerning national identity.” The ministry has called on China to⁢ respect South Korea’s⁣ cultural identity⁣ and avoid harming the friendship between the two nations.

South Korean⁢ media ‍has pointed out that ⁢this ‍is not the first time China ⁢has been accused ‍of ​cultural appropriation. In‍ 2008, China changed the name of South Korea’s “farmer’s dance” to “Korean ⁤farmer’s dance” and upgraded⁤ it to a‍ national intangible cultural⁢ heritage. The dance was then submitted ‌to the UNESCO ‍World Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2009.

China’s​ actions have been ⁢met with ⁢strong dissatisfaction from the South Korean government ‌and people, who view the‍ move ⁣as‍ an attempt to erase Korean cultural ​heritage and‍ claim it as their own.